Thanks to new owner and diet, formerly obese Dennis the dachshund is now a willowy wiener dog

In this June 2013 photo provided by Brooke Burton, Dennis, a dachshund, rests on the ground in Columbus, Ohio. Less than two years ago, Dennis weighed in at 56 pounds and could walk only a few feet without stopping, out of breath. But then Burton rescued him from his previous owner who had fed him human food like burgers and pizza and paid little attention to him. On a steady diet of strictly dog food, exercise and affection, the dog slimmed down to a svelte 12 pounds and now loves to chase squirrels and play fetch. (AP Photo/Brooke Burton)
(The Associated Press)

This photo combo made from pictures provided by Brooke Burton and the Columbus Disptach shows Dennis the dachshund in June 2013, when he weighed 56 pounds, top; and on Feb 25, 2015, after losing more than 75 percent of his body weight and weighing in at 12 pounds, in Columbus, Ohio. Burton adopted Dennis from a relative who had fed him White Castle burgers, pizza and other human food, and didn't pay much attention to the dog's burgeoning belly. (AP Photo/Brooke Burton & The Columbus Dispatch, Eric Albrecht)
(The Associated Press)

In this Feb. 25, 2015 photo, Brooke Burton's miniature dachshund Dennis stands in the snow in Columbus, Ohio. Once a wanton wiener dog, Dennis went on a diet and is now a happy shadow of his former self after losing more than 75 percent of his body weight. Less than two years ago, Dennis weighed in at a whopping 56 pounds. (AP Photo/The Columbus Dispatch, Eric Albrecht)
(The Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Once so morbidly obese he could hardly walk, Dennis the dachshund is now a shadow of his former self.

Less than two years ago, Dennis weighed in at a whopping 56 pounds and could walk only a few feet without stopping, out of breath. That's about four or five times the size of a normal miniature dachshund.

But then Brooke Burton of Columbus adopted him from his previous owner, who had fed him White Castle burgers and other human food.

On a steady diet of strictly dog food and exercise, 6-year-old Dennis slimmed down to a svelte 12 pounds. He now loves to chase squirrels and play fetch.

He had so much excess skin left over after the weight loss that he needed three surgeries to get rid of it.